Exercising table with handgrip



pr1 W. F. COURTNEY EXERCISING TABLE WITH HANDGRIP 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 25, 1951 INVENTOR. William 1'? (baring BY &

April 20, 1954 w. F. COURTNEY 2,676,015

EXERCISING TABLE WITH HANDGRIP Filed May 25, 1951 2 Shets-Sheet 2 f1 7 1 014 BY.

Patented Apr. 20, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,676,015 EXERCISING TABLE WITH HANDGRIP William F. Courtney, New Yak, N. Y. Application May 23, 1951, Serial No. 227,921

6 Claims.

The present invention is an improvement upon the invention disclosed in my copending application serial No. 194,525, filed November 7, 1950, now Patent No. 2,658,754, and relates particularly to a foldable exercising and resting table having improved hand grip means enabling one using the table to hold herself in a proper position on such a table when conditions of use tend to shift her from said proper position (the person being referred to herein for convenience in the feminine gender) An important object of this invention is the provision of such a table with hand grip means which are of ample strength for their stated purpose, and are adapted for association with other parts of the table in the latters open condition in such manner that said grip means protrude and function effectively as hand grip means and also are adapted for association with other parts of the table in the latters closed or folded condition in such manner that they are contained entirely within the folded table.

Another important object of this invention is the provision of improved hand grip means in such a table which enable a user to pursue exercises which would not be feasible in the absence of such hand grip means.

The foregoing and other objects are accomplished according to the present invention by a structure which, for purposes of illustration and without limiting the invention thereto, is shown in a single embodiment in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a table according to the present invention shown in its open or unfolded condition and resting upon a floor or like supporting surface in condition for use, with the improved hand grip means disposed for gripping by the user to hold herself in proper position on the table.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of said table, substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is an elevational view of the underside of said table.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a hand grip element constituting a part of a table according to the present invention.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged transverse sectional view substantially on the lines 5-5 of Figs. 2 and 3.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged transverse sectional view substantially on the lines 6-6 of Figs. 2 and 3.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged side elevational view of said table in its completely folded condition.

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view. substantially on the lines 88 of Fig. 7, of said table in its folded condition; and

Fig. '9 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view of a catch assembly for holding the table's 5 hinged sections together in their folded condition, this section being substantially on the line 9-9 of Fig. 7. s

A considerable weight of expert opinion leans to the view that, either for mere resting purposes in or for exercising purposes, there is an advantage in reclining upon ones back in an inclined position with the upper part of the body sloping downwardlyythis position apparently having the efiect of relieving certain abdominal muscles and i5 organs from strains to which they are subjected when the person is in an upright position.

However, when a person, seeking such beneficial effects, lies upon a sloping board or table, she tends strongly to slide downwardly thereon, 2c and this is particularly true if she attempts any exercises while on the board or table. The present invention aims to provide a foldable table or board arrangement which can be used for the stated purposes while avoiding such undesirable 25-"sliding; g

The embodiment of this invention which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprises an upper table top element I i hingedly connected at its lower end to the upper end of a gg lower table top element l 2. These elements each may beiconstituted chiefly of a relatively thin flat board having reinforcing side rails I3, l4 respectively, fixed underneath said boards along opposite side marginal portions thereof, and reinforcing cross pieces I5, l6 fixed upon the underside of the element H respectively toward the latters upper and lower ends and somewhat similar reinforcing cross pieces [1, l8 fixed to the underside of the element l2, respectively, toward I fi the upper and lower ends of said element.

The cross pieces 16 and I! of the table top elements II and I2 are fixed thereon, flush with the adjacent ends of said elements, and hinges l9, screwed to or otherwise fixed to the adjacent i bottom surfaces of the cross pieces I6 and I! serve to hingedly interconnect said elements in such a manner that said elements abut each other, above the hinges, to a very substantial thickness.

It will be seen that, under this arrangement,

thetwo table to elements may only pivot freely downwardly relatively to each other about the axis of the mentioned hinges and. that the table 6 top structure asthus far described could thus pivot to the extent of a combined angular movement of approximately 180, so that the completely folded table top portions would come together in substantially face-to-face relationship as shown in Fig. 7.

The table, with its top elements II and I2 in their open positions as shown in Fig. 2, is supported in a sloping position by a long leg 20 toward the upper end of the upper table top element I I, and a short leg 21 at the abutting upper and lower ends respectively of'thetable top elements II and I2; andthe lower'end of the lower table top element I2 may rest upon the floor or equivalent flat supporting surface. A- pair of rubber cushions 22 may befixedtothe lower end of the table top element l2 to engage the floor for the purpose of frictionallyiopposa ing the shifting of the table upon thefloor when the table is in use.

The legs 20, 2! may be substantially similar: except with respect to size and each may conveniently beformed of aflat wooden piece.23. These legs may be cut out. at theirtop and hottomends as at 2A and 25 to minimize weight, and,

. in some. arrangements, the :cutout 24 may atleast partially receive therewithin-certainportions of toggle braces hereinafter described- The legs 20', 2| may be similarly. hinged at their upper. ends. to the underside of thetable top. elements II and I2.by meansof hinges26, thetwo hinged portions of. which are screwed to or otherwisefixed respectively to. the underside. of the adjacent tabletopelement II or 12 and;- to one side ofthe. leg 20. or 2|, near the upper;

end thereof. 7 7

It may be. observed that, when the long-leg 20 is in its open or unfolded position as shownin. Fig. 2, its upper. end restsagainst the undersideof the table top element. ll just inside the cross piece. i5. In the case of'the. short leg 2|, however, the. hinge arrangement. is such that, when it.is-in its openor. unfolded position, the. upper flat end surface of. the leg abuts. adjacent. marginal undersurfaces. off the. cross pieces. l6,v H sothatthe line of. abutmentof the latterprefrerab'ly is coincident with a center line of the top: end surface .of the leg extending transverselyof thetable. In other words,.the. leg;2.lunderlies: both. cross. pieces [6 and II. toa substantially equall extent. so that when. the. users body is.

upon the table with the weight concentratedemt;

near the centerv thereof, the leg 2|.directlysup ports both tabletop elementsll and- I2. Thus;, the. hinges l9 need.not.be exceptionallylarge; or sturdy as they havelittle or; no-part insup portingsuch weight.

As may be understood from Fig. 2v and by comparison of that figurewith Fig. '7,- thelegs 20, 2| aresimilarly foldable in the sense that they may: be pivoted upwardly from-their open or. unfolded.- positions shown in full linesin. Fig. 2.to-their-- completely. foldedpositions as shown in broken lines in Fig. 7.. It is highly desirable, of course-,., toprovide means by whichsaid legs may beheld firmly in upright, open.or unfolded positions so. that they may, notunintendedly pivot in either direction about their hinges whenapersondsupon thetable. Such means, as illustrated,- are." substantially similar with respect. toeach leg; and comprise hingedly interconnected togglew members 2.1,.28 arranged. with the upper end of 70 member 2T hingedly connected asat 29.150. the. underside of the adjacent tabletop element. and the; lower. end offthe member. 28 hingedly cone nected as'at' 30"to the. near sideof the.adjacent.-

leg."

These toggle arrangements are quite conventional in character. Each includes a tension coil spring 3|, the ends of which are anchored to the toggle members 21, 28 in such manner that when the latter are in their open positions shown in full lines in Fig. 2, the spring is under tension which is exerted in a line toward one side of the hinge axis of the hinge interconnection between the two toggle members 21 and 28. As the toggle members: are limited to only one: direction of hinge action from theiropen positions and as the spring tension tends to oppose such hinge action, the toggle arrangements are effectively held. open, withthe legs 20 and 2! in upright positions, against'any unintended folding of the legs:-.

It may be seen from Fig. 7 that, when the table is folded, side rails-I3 and I4 are in intimate association, thus forming a narrow interior space within which folded legss20, 2| are accommodated. In order. to hold the table in its .folded condition, a, catch. arrangement is provided. which,- as .best seen in Fig. 9, comprises-a spring.

arm-member. 32 which may be fixed to one side of'cross piece l5 of the upper table topelement. II and includes two spring arms 33 adapted to. grasptherebetween a headed nose piece 34 which. may be fixed in an opposed positionuponthe underside. of the lower table top element l2;

The. hand grip means are simple but. very strong and easily shifted'between an active. posi tionanda stowed position. They comprisea gripbar 35 which is considerably longer than the width. of the. table, and preferably is of rec-i tangularshape in crosssection. When in active.

onusable position the bar 35 extends through opposite rectangular apertures36 in the two side.

rails. 13, with its intermediate. portion lying with'ina rabbet 31' formed in the upper face and along. the uppermost edge of reinforcing crosspiece. IS'of the upper table top element.

widenthan .the..cross.piecesl5,.l'l and l8 to form a substantial guideor supporting piece for. the

less .free sliding fit.

When in its active position, as shown very.

clearly in Figs. 1, 3. and? 6, the ends of the grip bar 35 extendj outwardly from each side of the table sufficiently to. affordgrip portionsv 38. which.

may be grasped by a user as she reclines upon the table. These grip portions, as may best be understood from Fig. 2, immediately underlie.

thehands of the. user as. she lies upon thetable with her arms. at her sides.

anyshifting of the body from its'desiredposition on the table; and this is. true even-when relatively energetic exercises are undertaken by the user:

of the table.

It will readily be understood that as-the grip;

bar..35, when in active position, is positioned with its larger. crossesectional dimension. extending. substantially in line with the pulling force im-iposed thereon .by the user as-she holds herself against shifting on the table, thesaid bar, .with---- out being, inordinately large, may nevertheless possess. ample strength toa withstandanysuch:

pulling. force. to which; it. may. be subjected:

Furthermore, the: grip portions 38, preferablyi, gprotrudeonly enough for. the. user. to. grasp them;

The. cross piece l6 may advantageously be somewhatv Hence, the gripportions. are easily and very naturally grasped by.- the user. By grasping the said grip portions 38,. the user can easily hold herself against sliding or hence, the said pull occurs so close to the side rails i3 that there is only a negligible and ineifective tendency of the grip bar 35 to bend and break from such pulling force.

When the user desires to fold up the table and put it away until it is again to be used, she merely pulls the grip bar 35 out from one side of the table and stews the said bar within the interior of the table as the latter is folded. A more se-- cure means for stowing the grip bar within the folded table may be provided in the form or a clip for holding the said grip bar in any suitable place into which it will fit within the folded table. Thus, the grip bar may be held in face-to-face association with one of the rails is as indicated in broken lines in Fig. 3; a suitable spring clip 3& of resilient material being provided for that purpose.

It may be seen that, when it is desired to store the device away or to move it from place to place. it is necessary only to turn the table on its side and press the toggle members 2'5, 26 upwardly so that they hinge relatively to each other and fold themselves underneath the table top elements while the legs 26, 2! are folded upwardly into positions closely paralleling the underside of the table top elements. Thereafter, the table top elements H and 12 may be pivoted about the axis of the hinges It in a direction which will bring the rails l6 and i l together as shown in Fig. 7. In this condition, the it, it are completely accommodated within the space defined by the table top elements Ii and i2 and by the rails I3 and I4 of said elements. table, oi course, is held in its closed condition by the catch arrangement already described.

The folded table is of such narrow dimensions that it may quite easily be held under ones arm to carry it from place to place. However, it may more conveniently be carried by means of a handle 40 screwed to or otherwise suitably fixed upon one of the rails H3 or i4, said handle as illustrated being shown upon rail i3. One who has carried suitcases or other luggage which is relatively thick has experienced the annoying situation in which the luggage bangs or presses against ones legs as it is carried. However, a folding table according to the present invention is of such limited thickness that it may be carried by the handle 40 without any annoying interference with ones legs.

It will be understood that the concept of the present improvement may be embodied in structures other than those illustrated and described herein without, however, departing from the invention as set forth in the accompanying claims.

What I claim:

1. A foldable, sloping, exercising and resting table comprising two hingedly connected, substantially fiat table top sections, means for supporting said table, in open condition, upon a horizontal surface with the top surfaces of said two sections in a common inclined plane, said table eing formed with an opening extending trans versely, completely therethrough below its top surface, and a single hand-grip bar, of greater length than the width of said table at said open ing, endwisely slidable within said opening to permit endwi e removal of said bar therefrom and having hanwgrip end portions extending beyond opposite sides of said table.

A exercising and resting table according to claim 1, the opening being in one of said table top sections.

3. An exercising and resting table according to claim 1, the said opening and said hand-grip bar having coacting portions which are complementally non-circular in cross-sectional shape to prevent rotation of said bar in said ening.

4 An exercising and resting table according to claim 1, the said opening being in one of said table top sections, and the table further including a reinforcing oross-pie -e fixed to the underside oi said one section and constituting a reinforcement for the latter, the said cross-piece being formed with a groove in its upper face extending transversely of the table and constituting at least a part of said opening; the said cross-piece thereby constituting also a reinforcement for said bar.

5. An exercising and resting table according to claim 1, further including opposite side rails fixed to the underside of said table, the said rails having apertures therein, in transverse align ment, constituting at least parts of said transverse opening.

6. An exercising and resting table according to claim 5, further including a cross piece, fixed to the underside of the said table between said side rails and formed with a groove therein extending transversely of said table and forming a substantial part of said transverse opening.

References Gited in the file or" this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 695,538 De Clairmont 1 Mar. 13, 1902 1,616,065 Rosenquist Feb. 1, 1927 1,721,709 Odell July 23, 1929 1,911,750 Collignon May 30, 1933 2,129,262 Cole Sept. 6, 1938 2,240,228 Schall Apr. 29, 1941 2,533,273 MacGregor Dec. 12, 1950 FOREKGN PATENTS Number Country Date 607,460 Great Britain 1948 

